Chronic Effects of Exercise on Motor Memory Consolidation in Elderly People

Chronic Effects of Exercise on Motor Memory Consolidation in Elderly People

The main purpose of this study was to investigate if a six months period of physical exercise could improve motor memory consolidation in elderly people.

38 subjects of both genders, with a mean age of 71 years old participated in the study. Subjects were divided in two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Before the intervention of a physical exercise program, subjects performed a Finger Tapping Sequence to measure baseline performance. After the intervention, the assessment of the impact of exercise on motor memory consolidation was held in three stages: Training; 1 hour after training and 24 hours after training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• individuals not engaged in physical activity;
• persons aged from 65 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• sensory abnormalities;
• mental abnormalities;
• motor abnormalities;
• other atypical health problems.